The Centurion in Matthew Chapter 8
Question from Prudence Konley on 11/21/2012:

Do we know whether the Centurion in Matthew, chapter 8, is himself a Roman?

Answer by Fr. John Echert on 11/21/2012:

We do know that as a centurion he was a Roman citizen and officer and no doubt a
Gentile (non-Jew) but as to his ethnicity we cannot be sure. He may have been from
Rome itself but not necessarily. The most notable detail is that he is a Gentile of high
standing with such great faith.